Families Change Teen Guide to Separation & Divorce

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Divorce Workbook for Teens

It's tough being a teen even in the best of circumstances, but when parents divorce teens are faced with an additional set of practical and emotional issues. This book gives them everything they need to get through their parents' divorce and keep it from taking a long-term emotional toll. Teens learn how to cope with grief, fear, and anger; adjust to having two homes; assert their right to be teens, to love both parents; not get caught in the middle; understand that the divorce is not their fault and overcome guilt.

The Divorce Express

No one wants to ride the Divorce Express. Especially Phoebe. It means leaving her apartment and friends, moving to the country with her dad, and taking the bus every weekend to visit her mom in the city. It means she has to go to a new school, and see her father go on dates. It’s a hectic life with no time to feel she really belongs in either place. Then, just when she gets a handle on juggling the pieces of her life, her mother makes a decision that will change everything again. Can Phoebe be herself and still be part of both worlds?

Surviving Divorce

Today's preteens don't just need to know how to "cope" with problems; they need the proper tools to make positive changes and smart decisions in all areas of life. From keeping a journal to getting help with depression, and from learning to take personal responsibility to dealing with divorce, this book is filled with information, support and advice.

It’s Not the End of the World

I want a mother and a father and I want them to live together-right here-in this house! Karen Newman can't believe it when her father moves out. How could her parents do this? Don't they know they belong together? Somehow Karen has to get her mom and dad to talk to each other face-to-face. Maybe then they'll realize divorce is a mistake. But can she think of a plan soon - and one that works?

Stepliving for Teens

Although there are books that may help teens cope with divorce, what about life after divorce? This book explores real questions from real teens living in stepfamilies. In Q&A format, the book covers a wide range of actual stepfamily concerns. Not only will teens get honest answers from two psychologists who specialize in teenagers and stepfamilies, but also straight-talk advice from other step-teens.

How to Survive Your Parents’ Divorce: Kid’s Advice to Kids

In this book, over 250 young people give advice from kids for kids to share how they cope with their parents' divorce. Counselors add their insights to round out the advice to kids on how to cope when parents decide to get a divorce.

Divorce Helpbook for Teens

Divorce can be especially tough on teens, and this friendly guide offers a helping hand to teens struggling to answer the tough questions when their parents divorce: Why do parents get divorced? How will the divorce change our lives? What can I do to feel less depressed? What’s likely to happen next? How do you tell absent parents that they don’t visit often enough? How do you say "no" to parents who want you to carry messages to, or spy on, the other parent?

Dealing with Divorce (TeensHealth.org)

For many people, their parents' divorce marks a turning point in their lives, whether the divorce happened many years ago or is taking place right now. When it happens to you, you can feel very alone and unsure of what it all means. It may seem hard, but it is possible to cope with divorce — and have a good family life in spite of some changes divorce may bring.

Family Break-up (LegalRightsforYouth.ca)

Sometimes parents decide to end their relationship by separation or divorce. If there are children involved, parents have some very important decisions to make about where their children will live and how the children will be financially supported. Children of separated parents should understand that the break up is not their fault. Separation and divorce are adult issues and kids should not be caught in the middle.

Dealing with Divorce and Custody (ReachOut.com)

Divorce and custody arrangements are never easy. Coming to terms with the fact that your family is changing and making sense of what happened can be difficult. There are things you can do that might make the process a bit clearer, and talking to someone can make a huge difference.

Divorce and Teens (DivorceandTeens.com)

This website is here to help everyone affected by divorce, from teen, to parent, to friend, and while the website is called divorce and teens, even if you're not a teenager the information here still applies to you. Read on for more!

Teens Dealing with Divorce

Six teens talk about their experience from their parents getting divorced and how they chose to overcome their problems.

 

Between Two Worlds: The Inner Lives of Children of Divorce

When a family breaks in two, children who stay in touch with both parents must travel between two worlds, trying alone to reconcile their parents’ often strikingly different beliefs, values, and ways of living. Authoritative, beautifully written, and alive with the voices of men and women whose lives were changed by divorce, Between Two Worlds is essential reading for anyone who grew up “between two worlds.”

 

Coping with Loss: The Life Changes Handbook

Struggling to fit in with your stepfamily? Grieving the loss of a loved one? Moving from your familiar friends, school and neighbourhood? Not sure how to cope with these feelings of sadness and loss? THE LIFE CHANGES HANDBOOK is here to help with useful advice, facts, tips and quizzes on these issues and more.

Q & A

Q:
I really feel like I need some help. Who should I ask?
A:

There are lots of people around you who can help. Tell your parents, teacher, school counsellor, family doctor or another adult you trust.

If you aren't getting the help you think you need, keep asking until you get it.